Yakup, better known as Mr Berlin Party, spreads joy with just a mic and a boombox, bringing the party wherever he goes. His viral videos have led to 98k followers on Instagram and over 200k on TikTok. You might have spotted him under the World Clock at Alexanderplatz or outside the Warschauer Straße S-Bahn, circled by curious locals and tourists who quickly warm up to his contagious energy. He’s one of those NPCs that circle Berlin on a loop. He’s the wild-haired, cow-spot-covered stranger who comes onto a late-night U-Bahn, gets everyone dancing and then, just as suddenly as he appeared, he’s gone. He’s Berlin spontaneity personified. But Mr Berlin Party isn’t just about the singing or the dancing – or even the party itself. His goal is to make people happy.
Are you from Berlin?
I’m the son of a family that came here from Turkey in the early 1960s as guest workers. I was born in Turkey, but I spent my childhood in Germany and attended elementary school here.
What do you love about Berlin?
The young people! They show me so much appreciation and respect through my performances. It reminds me of my own youth.
When did you begin these impromptu parties on Berlin’s streets?
Last February, I took my music box and went out onto the street. I started from nothing, with no prior experience. But I also know that I have talent. Even back then, friends used to say to me, “You’re a star!”
Do you plan where you’re going to set up a party? Or walk around and choose where it feels right?
I grab my boombox and just see where the road takes me. I often start at Leopoldplatz because I live here in Wedding. But I can tell you one thing: wherever I am, the party starts immediately.
What’s your favourite club in Berlin?
Berlin is my favourite club. I like everything about it – especially the people, whether they’re locals or tourists. Actually, I don’t really like going to clubs. It’s just not my thing.
Many of your parties happen under the World Clock at Alexanderplatz. What do you like about that location?
Berlin is my stage, but I can’t perform everywhere, otherwise I’d get complaints. That’s why I’m often in public places like Warschauer Straße or Alexanderplatz. Even the vendors there are my fans.
Do people recognise you on the street in your private life now? If so, how do you deal with the fame?
Yes, people often recognise me, but that’s nice. Quite a few times during performances, people have behaved rudely and grabbed my microphone, for example. But in my private life, my fans are always polite and not intrusive.
You often get people dancing on the U-Bahn. What do you like about creating a party on a train?
That kind of thing is a bit unusual, of course, but people want to see something different. You meet so many different people on the subway, from young to old, and everyone enjoys my performances there. It makes me happy when I can make people laugh – even the people who can’t afford entertainment. That makes me very happy.
It’s not just about dancing – you always sing along to the music. Did you always enjoy singing?
I’ve been singing my whole life, and many people have told me I have a talent for it.
Your song choices range from David Guetta to Boney M. What’s your favourite kind of music?
I can tell you one thing: wherever I am, the party starts immediately.
I’m very picky when it comes to choosing my songs. I have specific criteria I use to select them. For example, I pay attention to the rhythm, the sound, the mood, the melody and the lyrics. Basically, I like fast-paced music. It’s also important that they’re popular songs that everyone can sing along to. That’s my strategy, and I hope to win everyone’s hearts.
You always make people smile! Is that the ultimate goal of what you do?
I just want to make people happy. That’s what matters most to them: having fun and being happy. I love entertaining people. Some people have even said they’ve never seen such a cool concert. As long as I still have the power and energy, I’ll keep throwing parties on the street. My fans give me the motivation to do it.
You have over 200k followers on TikTok. Why did you decide to go on social media?
I have a goal: to reach as many people as possible with my performances and my talent. Of course, it also helps me become better known. I’d like to be successful at what I do. But I don’t handle that myself. My social media manager takes care of it.
How did you come up with your style?
I want people to recognise me on the street; that’s obviously one of my strategies, too.
Why the name Mr Berlin Party?
That’s what I do: party!
Where else would you like to hold your pop-up concerts in the future? Do you have any future goals?
I have a lot of plans. I want to produce my own songs, for example. One in five languages. I also want to work with other artists. Then I plan to give concerts in clubs. I’ve even gotten requests for that already. I’m also really interested in fashion, as you can see from my outfits, so I’d like to produce my own fashion line too.
Everyone knows you as Mr Berlin Party. But what’s your real name? And what should we know about you?
My real name is Yakup. I speak five languages and I’ve lived in Istanbul, Rome, California, Los Angeles, Mexico City and the Caribbean.
Find Mr Berlin Party partying on the streets of Berlin or on IG @mr.berlinparty
